Antimicrobials- Problems and Pitfalls Flashcards
Is Penicilin G narrow spectrum or broad?
narrow
Is Pen G penicillinase susceptible?
Yes
What are some common bugs Pen G is used against?
common Strep, meningococcal, G+ rods, spirochetes
What is the drug of choice for syphilis?
Pen G
Procain and benzithine are forms of Pen G administered IM (extended t1/2)
What is Pen V used for primarily?
oropharyngeal infections
Are Nafcillin and Oxacillin narrow spectrum or broad? Are they penicllinase susceptible?
Narrow; no
What are Nafcillin and Oxacillin commonly used for?
staphylococcal infections
Are Ampicillin and Amoxicillin narrow or broad spectrum? Penicillinase susceptible?
Broad; yes
What are some common bugs that Ampicillin and Amoxicillin are used for?
E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, H. influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis
T or F. The gastric acid environment of the stomach neutralizes penicillins
T, limiting their oral use
MOST penicillins are eliminated unchanged renally. Exceptions?
Nafcillin and ampicillin undergo hepatic elimination
Side effects of Penicillins?
All- allergic reactions
Ampicillin and amoxicillin- rash
Ampicillin, Amox, and Clav- diarrhea
All- hemolytic anemia
High dose piperacillin, ticaracillin or nafcillin- platelet dysfunction
(disrupts calcium)
Rare- Oxacillin, Ampicillin, Amoxcillin- hepatic damage, seizures and muscle irritability after high dose in renally impaired patients
Should Penicillins be taken with a full glass of water?
Yes
penicillins don’t effect CYPs at all
Do Penicillins have an effect on OCs? If so, what is it? If not, why?
Yes, they decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (mechanism is via enterohepatic circulation).
Advise to take additional precautionary measures
What other antibiotic is a major inhibitor of OCs?
rifampin
What would Cefazolin (1st gen) be used to treat?
Staph, strep, E.coli, K. pneumoniae
Which 2nd generation cephalosporin is effective against H. influenzae?
Cefuroxime
Which 2nd generation cephalosporins are effective against Bacteriodes spp.?
Cefoxitin and cefotetan
Which bug are Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, and Ceftizoxime (3rd gen) particularly ineffective against?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Effective against other gram-
What are other cephalosporins that are more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Ceftazidime (3rd gen) and Cefepime (4th gen)
How are most cephalosporins excreted?
renal. Thus, would need to alter dose if patient had kidney insufficiency
Which cephalosporin is not renally excreted?
Ceftriaxone- biliary excretion. Thus, no need to adjust dose for renal insufficiency
How are most cephalosporins given?
IV, some PO
Only a select few (4) reach CSF levels high enough to treat meningitis. Namely:
Ceftriaxone,
Cefotaxime
Ceftazidime
Cefepime
How should you advise a patient to take cephalosporins?
full treatment course should be taken. Take with food or milk to lessen GI distress
How should you advise patients taking cephalosporins regarding alcohol use?
Do not consume alcohol within 72 hr
Why shouldn’t a patient on cephalosporins drink alcohol?
they have been known to induce disulfram-like effect (especially with cefotetan)
What is a disulfram-like effect?
Acetaldehyde toxic effects are characterized by facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia and hypotension, symptoms known as acetaldehyde syndrome, disulfiram-like reactions or antabuse effects.
Antabuse is given to alcoholics to induce these symptoms to stop them from drinking
What are some adverse effects of cephalosporins that should be reported immediately?
severe diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, mouth sores, mouth swelling, breathing issues
What are some very frequent adverse effects of ALL cephalosporins?
1) thrombophlebitis with IV administration
2) Serum-sickness like reaction with prolonged parenteral administration
What is a very frequent adverse effect that of cephalosporins that is especially true of ceftixime?
moderate-severe diarrhea
What are some occasional adverse effects of cephalosporins?
1) hypersensitivity reaction
2) Pain at injection site
What are some occasional adverse effects of cefaclor (cephalosporins) in children?
rash and arthritis “serum sickness”
Other possible rare cephalosporin adverse effects?
hemolytic anemia, renal dysfunction, seizures, encephalopathy
What is a possible effect of long term cefazolin use?
bleeding dysfunction
Is Aztreonam beta-lactamase resistant?
Yes
What kinds of bugs is Aztreonam used for?
Klebsiella, pseudomonas, Serratia
What would Aztreonam never be used to treat?
gram positive bacteria or anaerobes- INEFFECTIVE
Are Carbapenems (Imipenem and Meropenem) susceptible to beta-lactamases?
low-susceptibility
What is Imipenem administered with?
Cilastin, a renal dehydropeptidase inhibitor
What are carbapenems commonly to treat?
gram +ve cocci, gram -ve rods and anaerobes
How Aztreonam administered?
IV/IM
How is Aztreonam excreted?
renal elimination with minor hepatic metabolic conversion
How are Carbapenems eliminated?
renal. Thus, dose adjustment for renal dysfunction necessary
How are Carbapenems administered?
IM/IV or IV (Meropenem)
What are some potential adverse effects of Aztreonam?
1) injection site reaction
2) GI pain
3) elevated ALT or AST
4) Rare- thrombocytopenia
What are some potential adverse effects of Carbapenems?
1) Injection site pain
2) fever
3) urticaria, rash, or pruritis (meorpenem)
4) GI disturbance
5) Rare- seizures (Meropenem MUCH LESS LIKELY to cause seizures compared to Imipenem), CDAD (C. diff associated disease)
How is vancyomycin given usually?
parenteral- well-distributed in tissue
When would vanco be given orally?
for C. diff infection
How is vanco eliminated?
unchanged in urine- thus, dose adjustment in renal failure necessary